Thank you first to my mom for giving me the space to be a musician. Without that, it wouldn't have been possible.
Next to all my amazing teachers.
I haven't always had an instructor and most times, I apologize for not digging in like I always knew I should have! In turn, I've become a great teacher. I have the gift of an approach to education that feels comfortable, natural and normal no matter the background or level of the student.
Thank you Ms. Dawn Allan for believing and pushing all of us! Especially me, I knew you were trying to get me to see things back then...
Thank you to Mr. Jimmy Hamilton, an original member of the Duke Ellington Orchestra. Thank you for showing me the REAL shit and introducing me to Ella Fitzgerald!
A special thanks to Prof. Rena Lacuana. You re-molded my technique if I ever had won then. Thank you for slowing me down to understand the approach positioning while playing.
All my teachers:
Mrs Jordan 1980-82
Ms Dawn Allen 1986-89
Tom Wells 1988-89
Mr Ochawada 1989
Steve Gentile 1988-89
Jimmy Hamilton 1989
Mary Beth Barthau 1989-90
Prof. Rena Lacuana 1990-91
Ronald McCurdy 1991
Dean Earl 1995
Ray Santisi 1996
And of course friends along the way including my long time best friend in the game, JPD, Jason Peterson Delaire.
JPD, is a wonderful musician who is authentic to life and that groove. Big thanks to Andre Robinson for letting me tag along and learn that funk with Tracy Doll with that funky bass player, Robert ? Tim Walton.....man, that dude was an amazing musician. He understood the funk well and taught me
where the one was :)
But my very first teacher was a classmate of mine...Peter Conroy...He never takes credit for showing me The Pink Panther but nonetheless,, he did. Thanks Phi.
So many influential people, friends, acquaintances, and musicians to name. I'm sure to miss you if i start launching into it.. Maybe i'll write a book? That way I can talk about my vision hurdles and life's obstacles. and how i've managed to keep a positive state of mind and help myself better process information rather than being reactive and triggered all the damn time......Yeah, that's another can of worms......
